Why people recommend it
Mating by Norman Rush is a sprawling, intellectually ambitious novel following a brilliant female American anthropologist in Botswana as she navigates an intellectual and romantic entanglement with a utopian community leader. On The Ezra Klein Show, Jane Faggel recommended the novel, describing the first two-thirds of the book as sublime, beautiful, funny, and a remarkable exploration of love. On The Book Review, Jumana Khatib introduced the novel as her current reading choice, prompting John Williams to recall his own memorable, albeit wild, reading experience from years prior. Greg Coles and Greg Cowles also discussed the book across different episodes, noting its publication in 1991 and comparing its anthropological themes to other works. Additionally, a guest contributor identified as Nora mentioned reading the novel as Norman Rush's first book, which earned him the prestigious National Book Award. The speakers frequently returned to the novel's dense philosophical inquiries, vivid African setting, and complex character dynamics, framing the story as a demanding yet deeply rewarding literary achievement that lingers in the minds of those who undertake it.
Who recommended it
- Greg Coles Discussed
- John Williams Discussed
- Jane Faggel Recommended
- Greg Cowles Discussed
- Jumana Khatib Recommended
Greg Coles — 2 mentions
“it's an Norman Rush's first novel mating it came out in 1991 it's about a white female Anthropologist in batswana”
“I do you know I have U momentarily set aside Norman Rush's mating I'm I'm still reading it”
John Williams — 2 mentions
“it's funny there is a character in costume and what I'm going to read from but I will say briefly about mating that I read it many years ago but it is a very memorable reading experience even if the specifics don't all come back to me quickly it is a wild book”
“I'm reading mating by Norman rush”
Jane Faggel — 1 mention
“Well, I'm way less nerdy than Jesse. So, my first recommendation, my um my first recommendation is um uh Norman Rush's Mating, which is just I just read that. Did you love it? I I love the first twothirds of it. Okay. In my view, that novel is sublime and beautiful and funny and an exploration of love and anthropology”
Greg Cowles — 1 mention
“earlier this year I read uh Norman Rush's mating and both of those books are books about anthropologists”
Jumana Khatib — 1 mention
“so I am now going to Norman Rush's meeting oh boy yes”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
“so I am reading mating which is Norman Rush's first novel for which he won the national book award”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“I'm reading mating by Norman rush”